This Hollywood theatre has come back from the dead more times than an 80s slasher franchise.
Hollywood is a place where careers come and go. Hot one minute and obscure the next. This applies to more than just the residents of Los Angeles; it goes for the architecture as well.
Hollywood Blvd's Vogue Theatre is one such building. From its opening in 1935 to its most recent change in 2018, the Vogue has changed hands and purposes with almost every decade passed.
There's a saying that not even Jesus could resurrect his career in Hollywood. And yet, the Vogue has come back from the dead time and time again. Only George Romero has been responsible for more revivals.
Did You Know?
- The Vogue first opened its doors on July 9, 1935 and first closed them in 1995.
- In 2001 every single piece of the theatre's interior was stripped and sold off.
- Like all but its first incarnation as a movie theater, the Vogue reopened in 2010 as a nightclub called The Supperclub. It would shut down just 5 years later.
Haunted or Just Myth?
As with many haunted locations the debate amongst skeptics and believers is often the validity of a place's supernatural integrity.
The Vogue is no exception.
Ask those familiar with the spectral history of Hollywood and they'll tell you that back in the 70s a projectionist had a heart attack and died on the job.
His name was Felix. And Felix is believed to still roam the halls of the theatre, likely angered by the switch from film to digital.
If you ask people who've worked at the theatre in the past 50 years they'll tell you that there was never a Felix or any employee who died of a heart attack inside the confines of the theatre.
So which one is it?
The only way to find out is to wander the spaces that once projected film but now preserve film history.
Maybe it's appropriate that the first film projected on the Vogue's screen was a talkie remake of Hitchcock's The Lodger, called The Phantom Fiend. From its inception, the halls were filled with phantoms.
The Vogue's interior was itself a phantom. A thing killed and brought to ruin, only to be brought back again in a new body.
Each time it's reopened it's carried with it a bit of the former lives. It might not be a ghost, but it's certainly a memory. The ghost of experience that we seek as asylum in film, the recorded image turning permanence into impermanence.
When the Vogue reopened in 1995 it wasn't for film, it was for envisioning the future. Equally visionary but without the popcorn.
The psychics that moved in and briefly used the space for engaging with the supernatural claimed that the Vogue was absolutely host to its own share of paranormal activity.
But it seems in actuality the real phantom is the Vogue itself. It closes. It dies. It opens. It's reborn.
As if the theatre was a living entity, going through the cycles of dead and rebirth with as much ease as buying a ticket.
Now the theatre displays relics of the past as if Hollywood were exposing its ribcage to us.
Whether ghosts, especially the ghost of Felix haunts the aisles in between the chairs or the empty space in the cases displaying these old bones. We bear witness to the past. To everything dead and reborn in our minds.
So when you visit you ask yourself, "Which phantom is it before me?"
Surrounded by ghosts and history you realize there is no way to discern between the two.
We are haunted no matter what.
The History of Vogue Theatre
Construction and Golden Age Opening - 1935
The Vogue Theatre was constructed in 1935 as part of Hollywood's expansion during the golden age of cinema, when movie palaces were built as temples to the new art form of motion pictures. Designed in the popular Art Deco style of the era, the theater featured elegant geometric patterns, luxurious materials, and state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment that represented the pinnacle of entertainment technology. The theater's grand opening was a glamorous affair attended by major stars, studio executives, and Hollywood elite, establishing its reputation as a premier venue for movie premieres and special events. The Vogue was strategically located in the heart of Hollywood's entertainment district, making it easily accessible to industry professionals and tourists who flocked to the area hoping to catch glimpses of their favorite stars. During its early years, the theater hosted premieres for major studio releases and became a popular destination for both locals and visitors seeking the ultimate Hollywood movie experience.
The Studio System Era - 1940s-1950s
During the 1940s and 1950s, the Vogue Theatre reached its cultural zenith as Hollywood's studio system dominated American entertainment. The theater regularly hosted premieres for films from all major studios, and its red carpet events became legendary gatherings where stars, directors, and producers mingled with fans and press. The venue also began hosting live performances, including vaudeville acts, musical revues, and variety shows that showcased both established stars and aspiring performers hoping to break into the entertainment industry. It was during this period that the theater began developing its reputation for tragedy, as several performers died under mysterious or unfortunate circumstances either in the theater or shortly after performing there. The intense pressure of Hollywood's competitive entertainment industry, combined with the prevalence of substance abuse and mental health issues among performers, created an atmosphere of both glamour and desperation that seemed to permeate the theater's very walls.
Decline and Transformation - 1960s-1980s
As Hollywood underwent major changes in the 1960s and 1970s, with the collapse of the studio system and the rise of independent filmmaking, the Vogue Theatre struggled to maintain its former prestige and profitability. The venue began hosting a wider variety of events, including rock concerts, adult films, and counter-culture gatherings that reflected the changing times but also attracted a different, sometimes rougher clientele. During this period, several violent incidents occurred in and around the theater, including assaults, drug-related deaths, and at least one murder that took place in the theater's backstage area. The building's maintenance declined as successive owners struggled with financial difficulties, and reports of supernatural activity began to increase as staff and performers encountered unexplained phenomena in the deteriorating venue. Despite its declining fortunes, the theater continued to operate, hosting B-movies, exploitation films, and low-budget productions that kept the lights on but couldn't restore its former glory.
Modern Era and Preservation Efforts
In recent decades, the Vogue Theatre has undergone various restoration and renovation efforts as preservationists and entertainment industry professionals have recognized its historical significance as a surviving example of golden age Hollywood architecture. These renovation projects have often been accompanied by increased reports of paranormal activity, as construction work seems to stir up the spiritual energy that has accumulated over the theater's long history. The building has served various purposes in recent years, including as a nightclub, event venue, and occasional movie theater for special screenings and film festivals. Current owners and staff have largely embraced the theater's haunted reputation, with some using it as a marketing tool to attract tourists and paranormal enthusiasts. The theater's ghosts seem to appreciate the attention and care being given to their eternal home, with many witnesses reporting that the supernatural activity appears benevolent rather than malevolent, as if the spirits are grateful that their theater is being preserved for future generations.
The Ghosts
The Leading Lady
The most prominent spirit haunting the Vogue Theatre is known as 'The Leading Lady' - believed to be the ghost of a prominent actress from the 1940s who died tragically just as her career was reaching its peak. This elegant spirit appears as a beautiful woman in glamorous 1940s attire, often wearing an evening gown and jewelry appropriate for a movie premiere or awards ceremony. The Leading Lady is most commonly seen in the theater's main auditorium, particularly near the stage and in the front rows where VIP guests would have sat during premieres. Her ghost seems to be eternally preparing for a performance or appearance that never comes, often seen checking her reflection in mirrors, adjusting her hair and makeup, or rehearsing lines from classic films of her era. Witnesses describe her as having an aura of sadness and unfulfilled ambition, suggesting she died before achieving the level of fame and recognition she deserved. The Leading Lady's spirit appears to be most active during events that involve live performance or film screenings, as if she's drawn to the entertainment energy that once defined her life.
The Projectionist's Ghost
In the theater's projection booth, staff and visitors have encountered the spirit of an elderly projectionist who worked at the Vogue for decades during its golden age. This ghost appears as a man in his sixties or seventies, wearing the work clothes typical of theater technicians from the 1940s and 1950s, and carrying the tools of his trade. The Projectionist's Ghost seems to be continuing his work even in death, with witnesses reporting that films sometimes start and stop on their own, focus adjustments are made to improve picture quality, and technical problems are mysteriously resolved overnight. His spirit appears to take pride in maintaining the theater's technical standards, ensuring that every screening meets the professional quality he upheld during his lifetime. The ghostly projectionist has been known to assist living technicians with difficult equipment problems, and some staff members report feeling a helpful presence guiding their hands when working with vintage projection equipment. His dedication to his craft and to the theater itself has made him a beloved protective spirit who ensures that the Vogue continues to provide quality entertainment experiences.
The Tragic Performer
One of the most disturbing spirits in the theater is that of a young performer who died under tragic circumstances in the late 1950s, either from a drug overdose or suicide depending on which account you believe. This ghost appears as a young man or woman in their twenties, dressed in casual clothing typical of the era, and often seeming disoriented or distressed. The Tragic Performer's spirit is usually encountered in the backstage areas, dressing rooms, and basement levels of the theater, where they spent their final hours struggling with the pressures and disappointments of show business. Unlike the other ghosts who seem to have accepted their fate, this spirit appears to be trapped by the trauma of their death, endlessly replaying their final moments and searching for the success and recognition that eluded them in life. Witnesses report feeling overwhelming sadness when encountering this ghost, as if the spirit's despair is so intense that it affects the emotional state of living people. The Tragic Performer serves as a reminder of the dark side of Hollywood dreams and the human cost of an industry that can elevate some to stardom while crushing others beneath its relentless pressures.
The Usher's Spirit
The ghost of a dedicated usher who worked at the Vogue for over thirty years continues to help guests find their seats and maintain order in the theater. This spirit appears as a middle-aged man in the formal usher's uniform of the golden age era, complete with flashlight and program in hand, and seems genuinely committed to ensuring that everyone has an enjoyable theater experience. The Usher's Spirit is most active during events when the theater is full of people, moving through the aisles and helping guests just as he did during his lifetime. His ghost has been observed opening doors for visitors, pointing out empty seats, and even shushing disruptive patrons during performances or screenings. Unlike some spirits who seem unaware of the passage of time, the Usher appears to understand that decades have passed and has adapted his service to modern audiences while maintaining the courteous, professional standards of his era. Staff members and regular visitors have come to appreciate his helpful presence, and many consider him the theater's unofficial greeter who welcomes both the living and the dead to the Vogue's ongoing entertainment offerings.
Paranormal Activity
Phantom Performances and Applause
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Vogue Theatre's paranormal activity involves full-scale phantom performances that seem to replay the theater's most memorable moments from its golden age. Staff members and security guards working late hours have reported hearing complete musical numbers, dramatic monologues, and even full orchestral performances coming from the empty theater. These supernatural shows are often accompanied by the sound of enthusiastic applause, laughter, and the general murmur of a full audience enjoying a live performance. The phantom performances seem to represent a supernatural compilation of the theater's greatest hits, featuring elements from different eras and types of entertainment that were presented at the Vogue over the decades. Some witnesses have reported seeing the theater temporarily transform to appear as it did during its heyday, complete with audiences in period clothing and performers in vintage costumes, suggesting that these phantom shows represent powerful psychic impressions of the theater's most emotionally charged moments.
Technical Equipment Manipulation
The Vogue Theatre's technical systems frequently operate under supernatural influence, with lighting, sound, and projection equipment responding to ghostly operators who seem determined to maintain the theater's professional standards. House lights dim and brighten according to no programmed schedule, stage lights activate to illuminate empty performance areas, and sound systems play music from the theater's golden age without any input from living technicians. The theater's vintage projection equipment sometimes starts on its own, showing classic films from the 1940s and 1950s to empty auditoriums, as if the ghostly projectionist is conducting private screenings for spiritual audiences. Modern digital equipment also experiences unexplained activity, with computerized systems displaying messages, adjusting settings, and even queuing up playlists of period-appropriate music. These technical manifestations suggest that the theater's resident spirits have learned to interact with both vintage and modern equipment in their efforts to keep the Vogue operational as an entertainment venue.
Dressing Room and Backstage Phenomena
The theater's backstage areas and dressing rooms are hotspots for intense paranormal activity that reflects the emotional preparation and performance anxiety that generations of entertainers experienced in these spaces. Mirrors in dressing rooms sometimes reflect images of performers from different eras getting ready for shows, with witnesses seeing ghostly figures applying makeup, adjusting costumes, and practicing lines or dance moves. Costumes and props are frequently found moved or rearranged overnight, sometimes appearing to be set out for specific performers or organized according to production requirements for shows that closed decades ago. The scent of vintage perfumes, theatrical makeup, and stage smoke often permeates the backstage areas without any identifiable source. Some visitors report hearing whispered conversations between performers discussing their roles, their fears about upcoming performances, and their hopes for career advancement, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and creative energy that transcends the boundary between past and present.
Audience Interaction and Recognition
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Vogue Theatre's haunted activity is the way its resident spirits seem to interact with and acknowledge living visitors, treating them as honored guests rather than intruders. Visitors frequently report feeling welcomed by invisible presences, receiving helpful directions to facilities or good seats, and sensing an atmosphere of hospitality that reflects the theater's golden age commitment to customer service. During special events or performances, some audience members report being gently corrected by unseen ushers for inappropriate behavior, feeling encouraged to applaud at appropriate moments, and even receiving what seems like personal acknowledgment from performer spirits who appreciate having an audience again. These positive interactions suggest that the Vogue's ghosts consider themselves eternal hosts and entertainers who are delighted to share their theater with living visitors who appreciate the venue's historic significance and entertainment legacy.
The Leading Lady prepares for her eternal performance
The Projectionist continues his dedication to perfect presentations
The Tragic Performer remains trapped by unfulfilled dreams
The Usher's Spirit continues to serve theatergoers across time
